Thomas County second graders at Garrison-Pilcher Elementary School participate in meaningful learning experiences outside of the classroom.  Lynn Burton’s second graders extended their learning about life cycles and the migration of the monarch butterfly after their Shared Reading unit that focused on the book Journey of a Butterfly.  St. Mark's Wildlife Refuge is a great place to spot these butterflies in their natural habitat during October and November.  Other species of butterflies and wildflowers were observed using their guides from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

“It is important to connect kids to nature and inspire them to learn more about the world around them,” said Burton.  Burton explained that this was one of the first field trips that this class has been on since kindergarten. It was the first time that some of the students have seen the ocean and explored the small beaches just south of Thomasville.  The students loved seeing the butterflies, other animals, and sea creatures that live in the saltwater marshes. Fiddler crabs were a class favorite.  “I would have to say that seeing my students learning new things is always my favorite!” added Burton.

 
Captions:

Lynn Burton's second grade students recently traveled to St. Marks Wildlife Refuge to learn all about some amazing animals and butterflies. Pictured:  Emmalyn Voss, Colt Childs, Maddie Davenport, Jadyn Murrah, Emree Reneau, Ariyana Powell, Landen Powers, Kristian Walden, Kylee Ruh, Leo Wright-Barwick, Hunter Sampson, Dacey Williams, Leland White, Riley Lamos, Molly Ponds, Alessa Hobbs, Katie Bruce, and Andrew Woods.  Not pictured: Hogan Kicklighter.

Emree Reneau carefully and excitedly handles a crab along the beaches at St. Mark’s Wildlife Refuge.